How to Bond With My New Kitten

Kittens bring life, activity and love to a home. However, the first few months of a kitten's life are important in shaping how the kitten's adult personality will be. Since an adopted kitten no longer has access to his mother, you assume the parental role in the kitten's life. This means that the kitten bonds with you to develop a sense of confidence, safety and security. Proper bonding with your kitten makes him a functional adult cat, and different bonding techniques are used to achieve this goal.

Things You'll Need

  • Interactive kitten toys
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Instructions

    • 1

      Handle the kitten often. Ensure that the kitten is fully supported in your hands and feels safe and secure. When you pick up the kitten, hold him for at least 5 minutes before placing him back onto the floor. Pet the kitten both when you hold him and when you are not holding him. Handling the kitten gets him used to human touch and socializes the kitten to make him suited to family life.

    • 2

      Allow the kitten to climb and play on you. This teaches the kitten that you are a source of fun and safety and that you are his companion. This also helps the kitten to feel secure and comfortable around you and other humans.

    • 3

      Use your voice to teach the kitten right and wrong. Speak gently and soothingly to the kitten to help him feel safe or to calm a restless kitten. Speak firmly to a kitten, giving a firm "No" when the kitten misbehaves by biting, wandering into dangerous territory or playing too roughly.

    • 4

      Play with your kitten often. Kittens have lots of energy and spend most of their time either sleeping or playing. Engaging in play with your kitten shows him that interaction with you is enjoyable, fun and positive. Interactive play also develops your kitten's intelligence, natural hunting instincts and abilities, as well as muscles and claws.

    • 5

      Inspect your kitten's body. Feel the kitten's legs and feet, check his eyes, teeth, ears and gums, feel the kitten's stomach, ribs and spine. Doing so helps the kitten become accustomed to veterinary treatment and grooming. This makes treating medical problems or simple grooming procedures, such as toenail clipping, easier to do.